Omaha daily bee., 1887-07-27
ASTONISHING REVELATIONS.
Chicago's Doodle Trial Bringing Out the
Facts Of the Big Combine.
HOW THE COUNTY WAS ROBBED.
Contractors Testify to the Enormous
Sums OF Money Paid the Rapacious
Commissioners For the Secur-
ing of Contracts.
Worse Than Expected.

Worse Than Expected.
CHICAGO July 26.-ISpeclal Telegram to
the BEE. E.l-Overwhelmingly as everybody
has long understood the proof against the
county bOodlers to be, only the few who
knew what it really was were prepared for
the astounding revelations already made.
First Lynn told how he had robbed the
county Of over Sl2, QUO in two years, and by
inference, at least proved that his associates
were even greater rascals, for his testimony
showed him to be cheap sort of thief who
was content with moderate share of the
Doodle. Following him was the carpenter,
LObstein, who told how he had given up
$500 on two different occasions for small
Jobs in the court house, Dan Wren being the
collector. Then the CLOVIS and their book
keeper explained how Mcdonald, as the
agent of the ring, had demanded handsome
commissions Oh all plumbin. supplies pur-
chased for the county, this commission to be
added to the purchase price; and how
Chairman Klehm-who by the way, elected
himself to the proud position by his own
vote-had urged the payment, pretending 1t
would save the county money. Yesterday
the Clybourne Bros. told how they had
charged the county Sl9 per carload for
gravel Which they preferred to sell
carloads when they had furnished
only $50. The money stolen from the county
in this way they had either paid in advance
to get the contract or divided between Var
nell, the warden, or Koze, the milkman, to
be handed over to the ring. Kolze unblush-
ingly admitted that he had paid from $1,000
to $4,000 per year to get his milk codtract,
and Heissler, the baker, swore that he had
paid similar amounts for the bread contract
To-day Bipper for along time the meat con-
tractor and agent of the ring fer levying and
collecting assessments from other contrac-
tors. which they were to add to their bills
and collect from the county treasury, told his
story.
The court room was again crowded to-day
when Jadge Jamieson entered the room and
began the days work. +. w. Bipper, who
for years has supplied the county with meat,
and who is generally regarded as the most
important witness the state has, was placed
on the stand and gave most sensational testi-
mony; 1t seems that Bipperr not only paid
between for the other contractors and the
county commissioners. No contractor could
get a contract without paying Blpper, and
the latter related at length how these various
sums were divided among the 'bo0ders."
The first witness was James w. Kee,
milk contractor, who told how he lad to pay
Bpper and McGarige from $1,000 to Sl5OO
each tor every yearly contract he secured.
he was followed by Bipper himself, whose
testimony made to-day the most sensational
and exciting of the county robbers trial,
According TO his testimony, there vas not q
single contractor who escaped the blackmall
of the gang" and even the county physi-
clan, Or Bluthardt, with other county en-
ployes, paid tribute regularly to the. corrupt
commissioners. When asked how he made
these payments, Bipper said: II simply put
the money in their hands, or put 1t in their
pockets"
What sort of coats did they wear? How
did you find their pockets asked General
Stiles
"Oh, always found their pockets. There
was no trouble about that
The following extract from the days record
will show how things were managed:
''Do you know anything of meeting OF
the ,boys' @ AZ the Gault house during the year
"Yes, sir"
What was that meeting for?"
ut was to decide who should yet the con-
tracts"
''How many of the boys were present?'
81 could not remember l was not at the
meeting, but after the meeting was over
think was told there was siX."
Can YOU name them?'
81 could not name them. 1 found there
was to be meeting, ana went over there to
find out who should get the contract"
General Stiles to witnesS-"Where did you
get your mfOrmation?"
zone of them told me they had held a
meeting over there to determine whether
year?'
(Which one was it?'
81 would not be positive about 1t. 1t was
OF se ooys was ae6e hsd
when the meeting was over was any re-
port made to you"'
WAS any report made to you during the
"No, sir, not that recollect, l think 1t was
l.eyden told me- lie told me they had agreed
that we should have the contract again if We
paid so and so."
How muchm'
"one thousand dollars each, provided We
would pay $1,000 to each of the commits
sioners in this deal"
We'll, how many, if any, did you control
yourSelt?'
II had no control over any"
~ what time aid you, become agent?'
This is the first year."
"How long did IL continue?"
"The next year when we got the contract
each one of these gentlemen did their owr
soliciting, but when money was paid it wen
through my hands,"
Did you play fair"
well, did play fair with them. Yes
both sides"
..a,t;, 81 fact, you were the clearing hous'
II collected the money because had moth
Ing else to do"
Elisha A.. Robinson. a wholesale grocer
gave complete list OF the enormous sums h,
had paid in bribes. For years, until 1885, h
regularly gave 10 per cent on all sales. Thel
the rate was increased to II per cent, unit
the county became unable to cash any nor
warrants. The state has still in reserve owe
hundred witnesses whose relations are eX
pectod will be fully as startling as any ye
made.
Model French Husband.
NEW YORK, July 26.-ISpeclal Telegram
to the BEE.l-Cable reports from Paris las
week that Mrs. Francesca Nara, formerl
wife of the lete Charles Thorne, the actor
had begun suit for divorce in the Frenc
courts from Nj. Maria, the artist, has cause
much interest among her New York an,
Philadelphia friends. Though NJ. Mara ha
not appeared at his home much of late when
ever he did his attitude towards his wife al
ways gave an observer the idea that he was Ol